AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

CO-OPERATIVE FARMING.

With the passing of the historic resolution by the Indian National Congress in its Nagpur session, the pattern of agricultural, economy in the country, on the basis of co-operative farming was affirmed. This encouraged the Bhoodan as well as other social workers in this district to think in terms of co-operative farming. As a result, 51 co-operative farming societies were formed. Thus, the co-operative farming movement got an impetus and organisation of co-operative farming societies was undertaken while distributing Government 'C' class land to the landless labourers.

In the collective type of farming societies, the major portion of the land is acquired by the society on lease, while in joint farming societies, only the right to cultivate the land for a specific number of years (which is generally 5 years) is acquired by executing an agreement with the members. Thus, in the collective farming, the land belongs to the society, while in the joint farming societies it belongs to the members themselves but is pooled together for joint cultivation.

The members of both the types of societies participate in farm operations, and if necessary employ casual labour, as per prevailing market rate.

In the collective farming societies, profits are distributed among the members on the basis of wages earned by them after appropriating a portion of net divisible profit to the reserve fund, payment of dividend on shares and contribution to various other funds. In the joint farming societies, profits are distributed among the members on the basis of land pooled by them for joint cultivation (for which land revenue payable to Government is taken as the main basis), as well as wages earned by them, after allocating a portion of net available profit to (the reserve fund payment of dividend and contribution to other funds.

The Yeotmal district has the largest number of co-operative farming societies in the State of Maharashtra, the number being 156 societies as on 30th June 1965, and 161 as on 31st March 1966. Besides joint and collective farming societies, these societies include 5 gram pariwar societies, which undertake similar agricultural operations. The classification of these societies is given below: —

The following statement gives the statistical information of the co-operative collective and joint farming societies:—

* Position as on the 30th of June in respect of every year.

* Figures in hectares, and those in brackets in acres.

The information regarding the gram parivwar societies is given below: —

Out of the total cultivable land of 7,780.493 hectares (19,226 acres), only 2,642.599 hectares (6,530 acres) were utilised for agricultural production. The total yield received during the year 1964-65 amounted to Rs. 3,15,643 as compared to Rs. 1,09,625 of the previous year. Out of the 150 co-operative farming societies (excluding the 5 gram pariwar societies) as on 30th June 1965, five societies earned profit to the tune of Rs. 10,818 while 74 societies sustained losses amounting to Rs. 88,461, and the remaining 71 had neither profits nor losses.

One of the most important problems of farming societies is the non-availability of adequate and timely finance. The District Central Co-operative Bank is hesitant to finance these societies at the same rates which they have declared under the crop loan policy for the individual, members of agricultural credit societies, because of weak financial position of the farming societies. Similarly, the Land Development Bank is not in a position to advance long terms loan, unless the land held by these societies is mortgaged to it which is not possible because while allotting land to them, Government had imposed a condition that the societies will not create any charge on the land without Government's prior consent.

The members of the societies are landless labourers who are illiterate and, as such they are not adequately equipped to understand the technique of co-operative farming, maintenance of accounts, etc.

In order to improve the working of these societies, a revitalisation programme has been prepared in consultation with the Commissioner for Co-operation and Registrar of Co-operative Societies, Maharashtra State, and is being implemented.

Ghatanji and Digras development blocks have been selected as pilot projects for co-operative farming. They are expected to serve as models to other areas in the district. The projects are being implemented in 10 villages in each block. Ten co-operative farming societies have been organised and registered in each of the above two blocks. Government financial assistance in the form of land development loan and subsidy for the construction of godown-cum-cattle sheds as also the share capital contribution, and subsidy for management expenses have been granted to all the societies in the project area. Two independent Extension Officers (Farming), have been appointed one each in the above two pilot blocks, to inspect the working of these societies.

State Aid.

Financial assistance granted to these societies up to 30th June 1965 as also up to 31st March 1966 is as under: —

CO-OPERATIVE LIFT IRRIGATION SOCIETIES.

Federation of Co-operative Farming Societies and Lift Irrigation Societies.

With a view to solve the difficulties of the co-operative fanning societies, and to provide them with necessary supervision and guidance and also to mobilise public opinion in favour of cooperative farming societies, a federation of all the co-operative farming societies and lift irrigation societies was registered in the year 1962. On 31st December 1966, 66 societies were affiliated to the federation. It very member society has to contribute Rs. 25 as annual contribution to the federation. Besides, the State Government contributes Rs. 2,000 every year as subsidy for management expenses.

There are only two co-operative lift irrigation societies in this district one at Hatla in Umarkhed block in Pusad tahsil and the other at Digras in Darwha tahsil. The area under command of these societies is 171.992 hectares (425 acres).

The following statement gives information regarding the membership, share capital, reserve fund, etc., of the two irrigation societies: —

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